Introduction to Pete Davidson Mental Illness
Comedian Pete Davidson has brought conversations about mental illness into the pop culture spotlight, openly discussing his struggles with conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal ideation. His vulnerable disclosures about living with mental health challenges, even amid celebrity, provide a platform to educate others.
This article will examine Pete Davidson’s mental health background, BPD diagnosis, and suicidal tendencies in his own words. We’ll also explore his treatment strategies, how he copes with stigma, impacts his career, and how he uses humor constructively. Pete Davidson’s honesty helps de-stigmatize mental illness.
Pete Davidson’s Childhood and Family Trauma
He was born in 1993 and had a traumatic childhood that psychiatrists believe contributed to his later mental health struggles. When Pete was 7, his firefighter father passed away during the 9/11 attacks — a deep childhood wound.
Pete says his dad’s death imbued him with heavy feelings at a young age. He also endured bullying as a child and teen for appearing different than other kids. These early experiences likely predisposed Pete to conditions like depression, anxiety, and BPD.
Pete’s Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis & Symptoms
At age 23, Pete Davidson was officially diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) — a complex condition marked by emotional volatility, unstable sense of self, and fears of abandonment. Those with BPD often grow up in invalidating environments.
Pete is remarkably open about living with BPD’s difficult symptoms, including:
- Intense mood swings and irritability
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Impulsive behavior
- Self-destructive acts
- Angry outbursts
- Abandonment fears
- Troubled personal relationships
- Distorted self-image
He reveals how BPD makes him terrified of being alone and causes him to desperately latch onto others. The disorder also fuels episodes of rage and suicidal thoughts. Pete ends up hurting himself during these episodes as his emotions spiral out of control.
Early Signs of Mental Health Conditions
Looking back, Pete says signs of mental illness emerged in his teenage years:
“I was a really happy kid. I started exhibiting symptoms around 13 when I had my first panic attack.”
From then, his mental health deteriorated through childhood trauma, social anxiety, bullying, and feeling like an outcast. He began self-harming and making suicidal statements.
As his depression and unstable emotions worsened, he was misdiagnosed with bi-polar disorder at 20 — but the label didn’t fit. Only later did doctors pinpoint borderline personality disorder as the source of his distress?
Pete Davidson’s History of Suicidal Thoughts
Another aspect Pete bravely talks about is his long battle with suicidal thoughts, driven by the excruciating symptoms of BPD:
“I’ve spoken about being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who don’t want to be on this earth. No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself. I won’t.”
This sense of purpose — helping other struggling youth feel less alone — motivates Pete to open up about his darkest mental health challenges. His candor aims to provide hope to those fighting similar demons.
Coping Strategies and Treatment
To manage his borderline personality disorder when suicidal thinking arises, Pete uses important coping strategies:
- Removing things he could harm himself with from his home when in a bad state
- Calling a suicide hotline or reaching out to family or friends
- Writing comedy material to channel feelings constructively
- Leaning on his close relationship with his mother
- Covering up tattoos that represented negative mindsets
- Therapy to develop skills for managing emotions and stressors
- Prescription medications to stabilize mood, including lamotrigine
Pete also emphasizes that living more healthfully improves his mental wellbeing:
“I’ve been working out every day, trying to eat healthy and meditate.”
He urges, “It takes work. Wake up in the morning, drink water, be grateful, take a multivitamin.”
Impacts on His Comedy Career
For Pete, comedy provides an outlet for channeling his mental health travails in a way fans relate to. He feels being candid about his illness makes his comedy more authentic and builds an intimate rapport with audiences.
But Pete also acknowledges there are career downsides to publicly battling mental illness in the spotlight:
“It’s not easy…you don’t want to frighten people away.”
Yet he hopes being transparent will enlighten people rather than scare them.
Overcoming Stigma Through Vulnerability
While baring your soul has risks, Pete feels he must break down the stigma:
“It makes you feel better to be part of something that makes you feel not so alone…To have a mental illness is not a joke—but it can feel really funny sometimes. And if you think making jokes about it makes you uncomfortable, just imagine how we feel. Anything to push the stigma away helps.”
He encourages anyone with a platform to speak out:
“If you have an opportunity to open up about this stuff, do it. I’m very lucky and privileged to have this position.”
Pete Davidson’s Outlook Today
Today, Pete takes his mental health journey “one day at a time.” With professional treatment, healthier habits, strong support, and finding humor even amid pain, he maintains:
“I truly didn’t think I’d be alive at this point, but now my outlook is better.”
By stripping mental illness of shame and secrecy, Pete Davidson sets an example of hope and resilience for the millions facing similar battles.